Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie PTUK today received Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestine, accompanied by his delegation. The visit came as part of his tour of Tulkarm Governorate to assess humanitarian, economic, and educational conditions.
The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Hussein Shanak, President of the University, along with members of the academic and administrative staff and representatives of partner UN agencies.
At the outset of the meeting, Prof. Shanak welcomed the UN delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that it reflects the United Nations’ interest in Palestinian educational institutions. He emphasized that PTUK views the visit as an important opportunity to highlight the realities of higher education under occupation.
Prof. Shanak presented a historical overview of the university, which was established in 1930 as an agricultural school and played a pivotal role for decades in developing the Palestinian agricultural sector. He explained that the institution evolved over time and was officially declared a university in 2007, continuing its national and developmental mission through high-quality programs that combine its agricultural heritage with modern technical and technological disciplines.
He noted that PTUK today plays a leading role in technical higher education, technology, and artificial intelligence, through specialized academic programs that respond to rapid global changes, meet the needs of local and international labor markets, and contribute to building a Palestinian knowledge-based economy founded on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Prof. Shanak also addressed the situation of the university and its three campuses, highlighting the serious challenges resulting from ongoing Israeli violations. These include attacks on university campuses in Tulkarm and Al-Arroub, restrictions on land investment and safe access to educational facilities, demolition of fences, repeated incursions, the arrest of students, and the killing of several others, all of which undermine the educational process and students’ right to safe education. He further pointed to the severe environmental impact caused by the nearby Geshuri factories.
In addition, the University President highlighted PTUK’s international projects and its continued efforts toward global engagement through advanced positions in international rankings and broad partnerships with universities, research institutions, and international centers, stressing that these partnerships are aligned with national priorities and community needs. He also addressed the financial challenges facing the university as a public institution amid Palestine’s ongoing economic crisis, and the resulting difficulties in securing sufficient resources for academic development and infrastructure sustainability.
During the visit, the UN delegation conducted a field tour of the university campus, where they observed firsthand the extent of Israeli violations, particularly on the western side of the campus, and their negative impact on the educational process and the university’s development plans.
